Hair styling apparatus having dual switch and lock actuator

ABSTRACT

In a hair styling apparatus a heating assembly is operable to apply heat to hair. First and second arms are hingedly connected for selective movement relative to each other between an opened configuration and a closed configuration of the hair styling apparatus. The heating assembly includes a hair contact heating surface disposed on at least one of the first and second arms. An actuator is operatively connected to both an operating switch and a lock, with the actuator being moveable between a first position in which, concurrently, the switch is moved to the on position and the lock is moved to the unlocked position and a second position in which, concurrently, the switch is moved to the off position and the lock is moved to the locked position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/373,136 filed Aug. 10, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a hair styling apparatus, and more particularly to a hair styling apparatus having a dual switch and lock actuator, and even more particularly such a dual switch and lock actuator that is operable to concurrently lock/unlock the apparatus against/for reconfiguration and to switch a heating assembly of the apparatus on/off.

BACKGROUND

Many different types of hair styling apparatus are available for use in styling hair. For example, a hair styling apparatus may be used for straightening, curling, waving and/or otherwise achieving a desired look of the hair. In one common type of styling apparatus, a pair of arms are hinged to pivot relative to each other between opened and closed configurations. Opposed heated hair contact surfaces are provided on the arms so as to hold hair between the hair contact surfaces in the closed configuration thereof. A biasing mechanism typically biases the arms of the apparatus to the opened configuration. Such a hair styling apparatus applies high levels of heat directly to the hair. However, heated surfaces may present a burn hazard when the hair styling apparatus is not in use, particularly if the apparatus is left in its opened configuration while heat is applied to the hair contact surfaces. For example, a user may accidentally touch the heated surface after using the hair styling apparatus and waiting for the hair styling apparatus to cool down for storage. Children may also accidentally touch the heated surface, leading to painful burns. There is a need, therefore, for a hair styling apparatus that reduces the risk of inadvertent contact with the heated surfaces thereof when the apparatus is not in use.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a hair styling apparatus generally comprises a heating assembly for applying heat to hair. First and second arms are hingedly connected for selective movement relative to each other between an opened configuration and a closed configuration of the hair styling apparatus. The heating assembly includes a hair contact heating surface disposed on at least one of the first and second arms. An operating switch is operatively connected to the heating assembly and positionable between an on position in which the heating assembly is on and an off position in which the-heating assembly is off. A lock is operatively connected to at least one of the first and second arms and positionable relative thereto between a locked position in which the first and second arms are locked in the closed configuration of the hair styling apparatus and an unlocked position in which the first and second arms are positionable relative to each other to the opened configuration of the hair styling apparatus. An actuator is operatively connected to both the operating switch and the lock, with the actuator being moveable between a first position in which, concurrently, the switch is moved to the on position and the lock is moved to the unlocked position and a second position in which, concurrently, the switch is moved to the off position and the lock is moved to the locked position.

In another aspect, an actuator for a hair styling apparatus is disclosed. The hair styling apparatus includes a pair of working arms wherein at least one of the working arms has a heating member. The actuator generally comprises a switch for turning the heating member on and off, a grip, and a switch actuator operatively connected to the grip such that movement of the grip results in movement of the switch actuator. The switch actuator comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced ribs defining a switch opening configured to receive and actuate the switch, and a lock structure comprising an angular locking interface configured to selectively inhibit separation of the working arms.

In still another aspect, a method of unlocking a pair of arm members of a hair styling device is disclosed. The method generally comprises sliding, in a linear manner, an actuator relative to the pair of arm members. The actuator moves a lock structure from an engaged position to a disengage position thereby allow separation of the arm members relative to each other, and simultaneously toggling a switch from an off position to an on position to thereby activate a heating assembly of at least one of the arm members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hair styling apparatus in a closed configuration thereof;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an actuator of the hair styling apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a switch of the actuator;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the actuator;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the actuator; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an actuator, first and second arms, and a second arm lock structure with partially cut away first and second arms and various structural components removed from the actuator and first and second arms to reveal additional construction.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a hair styling apparatus according to the present invention is generally designated 101. The illustrated hair styling apparatus 101 is generally in the form of a flat iron, or hair straightener, which has opposed heating surfaces that can be used to straighten and/or curl hair. As explained in more detail below, the hair styling apparatus 101 includes a hinge lock that is intended to protect users and nonusers from burns by forcing the hair styling apparatus closed when it is turned off, thus reducing open exposure to the heating surfaces. In one example, the hinge lock is operated by an actuator that slides the hinge lock longitudinally relative to the apparatus 101 to inhibit or allow opening and closing of the apparatus. It is contemplated that in other embodiments the hair styling apparatus 101 may be of a type other than a flat iron or hair straightener, such as a curling iron, blow dryer, or other suitable type of hair styling apparatus that is adapted to heat hair during styling.

The hair styling apparatus 101 of the illustrated embodiment is generally elongate having longitudinal (e.g., proximal and distal) ends and including first and second working arms generally indicated at 102 and 103, respectively. The working arms 102, 103 are held in assembly with each other by a suitable pivot, or hinged connection 104 (illustrated schematically in FIG. 2) at the proximal end of the hair styling apparatus. The first and second working arms 102, 103 are thus hingedly connected for movement relative to one another about a pivot axis defined by the pivot connection 104 between a closed configuration (FIG. 1) of the hair styling apparatus 101 and an opened configuration (not shown) thereof in which the arms are spaced from each other for placement of hair therebetween to be treated.

Each of the first and second arms 102, 103 includes a heating assembly, generally indicated at 108 (broadly, a hair-heating device), operatively connected to an actuator 110 for operative control of the heating assembly. The illustrated heating assembly 108 includes a first heating member 106 disposed on the first working arm 102 and defining a first working or heating surface and a second heating member 107 disposed on second arm 103 and defining a second working or heating surface. The heating members 106, 107 are sufficiently located longitudinally on the respective arms 102, 103, e.g., adjacent the distal end of the apparatus 101, so that in the closed position of the hair styling apparatus 101 the heating members 106, 107 are opposed to each in closely spaced or contact relationship with each other to heat hair that is held therebetween. Heat from the heating members 106, 107 is thus applied to the hair in the closed configuration of the hair styling apparatus 101. In the opened configuration of the hair styling apparatus 101, the heating members 106, 107 are spaced apart from one another a sufficient distance to allow the introduction of hair between the hair-facing surfaces of the heating members.

A biasing member, such as a compression spring 105 (illustrated schematically in FIG. 2) or other suitable biasing member, may be disposed between the first and second working arms 102, 103 to bias the arms 102, 103 away from each other, e.g., toward the opened configuration of the hair styling apparatus. In the illustrated embodiment the compression spring 105 is seated within opposed spring seats formed on each respective working arm 102, 103. However, it is understood that the biasing member 105 may be held in assembly with the working arms 102, 103 in any suitable manner that achieves the intended function of the biasing member.

As seen best in FIGS. 2-6, the actuator 110 for operating the heating assembly 108 includes a grip or knob 112 accessible exterior of both working arms 102, 103 and a switch actuator 114 connected to the grip for conjoint movement with the grip relative to the first and second working arms 102, 103. The switch actuator 114 includes a pair of control electrodes 116 in electrical communication with a power source (not shown) and extending in a longitudinal direction of the actuator 110. The switch actuator 114 also includes a lock structure 118 (FIGS. 2, 5) that prevents pivoting movement of the first and second working arms 102, 103 relative to one another about the pivot axis of the pivot connection 104. A switch 120 (best seen in FIG. 3) for controlling the on/off state of the heating assembly 108 is mounted on the apparatus 101 adjacent the actuator 100 such that it is held stationery while the actuator 110 is capable of movement relative thereto. The switch 120 includes an on/off switch 123 that is slidable longitudinally of the switch 120 and communicates with a suitable power source (not shown), and a pair of temperature control electrodes 122 in electrical communication with the heating assembly 108. The switch actuator 114 includes a pair of longitudinally spaced ribs, or tabs defining a switch opening 115 (FIGS. 2 and 4) therebetween for receiving the on/off switch 123 to operatively connect the on/off switch to the actuator 110.

With reference to FIG. 2, using the grip 112 the user slides the actuator 110 in a longitudinal direction relative to the first and second working arms 102, 103 as indicated by arrows 124, 128. Sliding the actuator 110 in the longitudinally outward direction 124 moves the switch actuator 114 and hence the switch engagement opening 115 in the direction 124. The switch actuator 114 (with the on/off switch disposed in the switch engagement opening 115) toggles the switch 123 to its on position, thus turning on the heating assembly 108 to heat the heating members 106, 107 for providing heat to the user's hair. Additionally, sliding the actuator 110 in the direction 124 repositions the control electrodes 116 into opposed, but closely spaced relationship with the temperature control electrodes 122 of the switch 120. Movement of the actuator 110 in the opposite (inward) longitudinal direction, i.e., direction 128, the switch actuator 114 toggles the switch 123 to its off position.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the actuator 110 interfacing with the first and second working arms 102, 103. The first and second working arms 102, 103 are illustrated as partially cut away to allow viewing of a lock structure, indicated generally at 118. Additionally, various structural components are omitted from the actuator 110 and working arms 102, 103 to allow viewing of the lock structure 118. As seen best in FIG. 6, the second working arm 103 includes suitable blocking structure 126 configured to engage the lock structure 118 of the actuator 110. In particular, the lock structure 118 of the actuator 110 includes an angular locking interface configured to interface with the blocking structure 126 of the working arm 103 when the working arms 102, 103 are in the closed configuration of the hair styling apparatus. For example, in FIG. 6 the working arms 102, 103 are in the closed configuration. The actuator 110 is in its longitudinally inward position corresponding to the off position of the on/off switch 123 as discussed previously herein. The interface between the lock structure 118 of the actuator 110 and the blocking structure 126 of the working arm prevents the working arms 102, 103 from separating, thus holding the workings arms in the closed configuration of the apparatus.

To operate the heating assembly to treat hair, the user slides the actuator 110 in the longitudinal outward direction 124, thus toggling the on/off switch 123 to the on position in the manner described previously herein. The hinge lock structure 118 of the actuator 110 is moved out of interfacing relationship with the blocking structure 126, thus allowing pivoting movement of the working arms 102, 103 relative to each other while the heating assembly 108 is operating. The compression spring 105 biases the working arms 102, 103 away from each other (e.g., to the opened configuration of the apparatus 110) and the apparatus is operable to treat hair in a known manner using the heating surfaces of the heating members 106, 107. Thus, it can be seen that a single movement of the actuator 110 concurrently configures the apparatus 101 to its opened (broadly an operating) configuration and turns on the heating assembly 108.

When use of the hair styling apparatus 101 is completed, the user manually urges the working arms 102, 103 together (against the bias of the spring 105) and then slides the actuator 110 in the longitudinally inward direction 128. This movement causes the locking structure 118 to move into interfacing relationship with the blocking structure 126 of the working arm 103, thus locking the working arms 102, 103 in the close configuration of the apparatus 101. Concurrently, the on/off switch 123 is moved to its off position, thus turning off the heating assembly 108. Thus, it can be seen that a single movement of the actuator 110 concurrently configures the apparatus 101 to its closed (broadly, non-operating) configuration and turns off the heating assembly 108. In this manner, the heating surfaces of the heating members 106, 107 are brought together and thus generally inaccessible to being touched by a user, or contacting surfaces or objects that can be damaged by heat, while the heating members are being cooled following operation of the apparatus 101.

In one suitable embodiment, in the opened configuration of the hair styling apparatus 101 the operating temperature of the heating members 106, 107 may be manually adjusted or controlled. For example, the actuator 110 may include a suitable temperature control system or arrangement to facilitate the manual selection of intermittent or infinite temperature settings. The temperature controls communicate with the control circuit, and the control circuit regulates the temperature of the heating members 106, 107 in response to signals received from the temperature controls. As a non-limiting example, the hair styling apparatus 101 may include the following selectable intermittent temperature settings: 230° C., 210° C., 190° C., 170° C., and 150° C. The hair styling apparatus 101 may include other temperature settings without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the grip or knob 112 is also rotatable relative to the working arms 102, 103 to selectively adjust the operating temperature of the heating members 106, 107. In a particularly suitable embodiment, the grip 112 is rotatable a predetermined rotation angle in a clockwise direction 132, and a predetermined rotation angle in a counterclockwise direction 130, with the grip being biased by a suitable biasing member (not shown) to a neutral position (e.g., zero degree position). Upon sliding the actuator 110 in the longitudinally outward direction 124 to position the on/off switch 123 in the on position (and configure the working arms 102, 103 in the opened configuration of the apparatus 101), the control electrodes 116 of the actuator 110 are aligned with the temperature control electrodes 122 of the switch 120.

The user can then select a desired operating temperature by rotating the grip 112 in either the clockwise direction 132 or counterclockwise direction 132. Rotating the grip 112 in this manner conjointly rotates the switch actuator 114 and control electrodes 116 until one of the two control electrodes 116 comes into electrical contact with a corresponding one of the temperature control electrodes 122. As a result, rotation in one direction (e.g., clockwise) causes an incremental (e.g., 10° C., 20° C., 30° C., 40° C., etc.) increase of the operating temperature while rotation in the opposition direction (e.g., counterclockwise) causes an incremental decrease (e.g., of the same or different incremental increase) in operating temperature. In either instance, the grip 112 is then released and biased back to its rotational neutral position at which it may be rotated again in either direction to further increase or decrease the operating temperature of the heating members 106, 107.

In an alternative embodiment, the grip 112 may not be rotational and instead the hair styling apparatus 101 may include one or more microcontrollers, one or more microprocessors, or other suitable components for regulating the heat output of the heating members 106, 107 and performing other functions or operations of the hair styling apparatus 101. For example, a temperature sensing unit (not shown), such as a thermistor, may be in thermal contact with the heating members 106, 107 and electrically connected to the control circuit (not shown). The temperature sensing unit sends a temperature-indicating signal, indicative of the temperature of the heating members 106, 107, to the control circuit. The control circuit is programmed or configured to regulate heating members 106, 107 in response to the temperature-indicating signal.

When introducing elements of the present invention or preferred embodiments thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair styling apparatus comprising: a heating assembly for applying heat to hair; first and second arms hingedly connected for selective movement relative to each other between an opened configuration and a closed configuration of the hair styling apparatus, the heating assembly including a hair contact heating surface disposed on at least one of the first and second arms; an operating switch operatively connected to the heating assembly and positionable between an on position in which the heating assembly is on and an off position in which the-heating assembly is off; a lock operatively connected to at least one of the first and second arms and positionable relative thereto between a locked position in which the first and second arms are locked in the closed configuration of the hair styling apparatus and an unlocked position in which the first and second arms are positionable relative to each other to the opened configuration of the hair styling apparatus; and an actuator operatively connected to both the operating switch and the lock, the actuator being moveable between a first position in which, concurrently, the switch is moved to the on position and the lock is moved to the unlocked position and a second position in which, concurrently, the switch is moved to the off position and the lock is moved to the locked position.
 2. The hair styling apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator is slidable relative to the first and second arms between the first and second positions of the actuator.
 3. The hair styling apparatus of claim 2 wherein in the first position of the actuator, the actuator is also rotatable relative to the first and second arms whereby rotation of the actuator selectively controls the operating temperature of the heating assembly.
 4. The hair styling apparatus of claim 3 wherein rotation of the actuator in a first direction increases the operating temperature of the heating assembly and rotation in a second, opposite direction decreases the operating temperature of the heating assembly.
 5. The hair styling apparatus of claim 4 wherein the actuator is rotationally biased to a neutral position, rotation of the actuator in a first direction relative to the neutral position increasing the operating temperature of the heating assembly by a predetermined increment, the actuator returning to its neutral position thereafter such that rotating the actuator in the first direction a second time further increases the operating temperature of the heating assembly by the predetermined increment while rotating the actuator in the second direction decreases the operating temperature of the heating assembly by the predetermined increment.
 6. The hair styling apparatus of claim 5 wherein the predetermined increment is in the range of 10° C. to 30° C.
 7. The hair styling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second arms each have a proximal end, the apparatus comprising a hinge adjacent the proximal end to pivotally connect the first and second arms, the actuator comprising an annular grip circumscribing the proximal ends of the first and second arms of the apparatus.
 8. The hair styling apparatus of claim 7 wherein the grip is grippable by a user of the apparatus to slidably position the grip and hence the actuator between the first and second positions of the actuator.
 9. The hair styling apparatus of claim 7 wherein in the hinge is configured to bias the first and second arms to the opened configuration of the hair styling apparatus, in the second position of the actuator corresponding to the locked position of the lock, the lock being configured to block the first and second arms against movement relative thereto to the opened configuration of the hair styling apparatus.
 10. An actuator for a hair styling apparatus including a pair of working arms, at least one of the working arms having a heating member, the actuator comprising: a switch for turning the heating member on and off; a grip; and a switch actuator operatively connected to the grip such that movement of the grip results in movement of the switch actuator, the switch actuator comprising: a pair of longitudinally spaced ribs defining a switch opening configured to receive and actuate the switch, and a lock structure comprising an angular locking interface configured to selectively inhibit separation of the working arms.
 11. The actuator of claim 10 wherein the grip is selectively moveable in a linear manner.
 12. The actuator of claim 10 wherein the grip further comprising a plurality of control electrodes for controlling temperature of the heating member.
 13. The actuator of claim 10 wherein the lock structure includes an angular locking interface.
 14. The actuator of claim 10 wherein the grip is rotatable and slideable.
 15. A method of unlocking a pair of arm members of a hair styling device, the method comprising sliding, in a linear manner, an actuator relative to the pair of arm members, the actuator moving a lock structure from an engaged position to a disengage position thereby allow separation of the arm members relative to each other, and simultaneously toggling a switch from an off position to an on position to thereby activate a heating assembly of at least one of the arm members.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein rotating the actuator in a first direction increases an operating temperature of the heating assembly and rotating the actuator in a second direction decreases the operating temperature of the heating assembly.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein the pair of arm members are hingedly connected for selective movement relative to each other between an opened configuration and a closed configuration of the hair styling apparatus, wherein sliding the actuator results in the pair of arm members moving about the hinge from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein the hair styling device has a longitudinal axis and sliding the actuator comprises moving the actuator linearly along the longitudinal axis of the hair styling device.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the sliding the actuator comprises pulling the actuator in an outward direction.
 20. The method of claim 15 wherein moving the lock structure causes the lock structure to move out of interfacing relationship with a blocking structure. 